Archived News Release: March 29, 2023 - What: Ann Arbor Sustainability Forum — Re-charged Home Electrification: New Funding and Opportunities for Electrifying your Space. To successfully decarbonize Ann Arbor by 2030 (A2ZERO), the city needs as many residents as possible involved in the movement toward electrification. But where and how does someone start? The third Ann Arbor Sustainability Forum of 2023 hosted by the city office of sustainability and innovations (OSI), "Re-charged Home Electrification: New Funding and Opportunities for Electrifying your Space," will provide attendees with exactly these answers. This is a free event.
When: Tonight! 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2023.
Where: Two options to attend — In person at the Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch fourth floor meeting room –or– Online (link provided upon registration).
Who: This event is free and open to everyone (homeowners, renters, landlords, businesses).
Guest panelists, Brett Little of the Green Home Institute, Pat O'Boyle of Michigan Saves and Lauren Reeg of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), will present their work to help individuals and businesses electrify. Following these presentations, the floor will open for a comprehensive Q&A session. Attendees will learn about new funding sources for home electrification, viable technologies, as well as the health benefits of transitioning away from methane gas toward more efficient, safe and healthy homes and businesses.
As indoor health and safety is a component of this event, masks will be strongly encouraged while attending the in-person component.
How: Register to attend this event, and the other forums to follow, online or in person at: a2gov.org/sustainability/events. To ensure all attendees are receiving the correct webinar information, and to receive any updates on meeting logistics, it is suggested that everyone registers in advance. A live stream of the event will also be available through our partner the Ann Arbor District Library's event page at https://www.youtube.com/@AADL.
Why: Highlighted in Strategy 2 of the A2ZERO Plan, home electrification can have a substantial impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as it is a key step in transitioning energy needs from fossil fuels to renewable sources. Replacing gas appliances, such as stoves, with their electric counterparts actively protects families from harmful indoor air pollution, pollution associated cancer, heart and lung diseases, and other serious respiratory diseases, including childhood asthma. However, even with the best of intentions, these home improvements can be financially intimidating. To combat these very real concerns, panelists will also highlight the various funding sources, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, that can be used by Ann Arbor residents to jumpstart their transition.
"Electrifying your home is easier than a lot of people initially think," Brett Little, executive director of Green Home Institute states. “With personal experience navigating this process and receiving some associated incentives, I'm excited to get more Ann Arborites involved in the electrification movement."
The remaining two events of the Ann Arbor Sustainability Forum series will focus on the expansion of renewable energy across Michigan (April 26), and an open forum to discuss the OSI two-year strategy (May 31).
All are welcomed to attend, in person or online. The city looks forward to this opportunity for valuable information sharing and meaningful discussion about sustainability in Ann Arbor.
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